Breaking code execution based on time consumption

ABSTRACT

An on-chip system uses a time measurement circuit to trap code that takes longer than expected to execute by breaking code execution on excess time consumption.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to hardware and software tools for software code debugging.

BACKGROUND

During the development of software or firmware for a microcontroller there is a need for software debugging. An integrated development platform (IDP) can be used for developing and debugging code while it executes on a target microcontroller. The IDP allows a developer to set breakpoints and perform other actions to debug the code. One software bug that is may be encountered during software development is a code segment that takes longer than expected to execute.

SUMMARY

The disclosed on-chip system uses a time measurement circuit to trap code that takes longer than expected to execute by breaking code execution on excess time consumption.

In some implementations, an integrated circuit (IC) device includes a system for breaking code execution based on time consumption. The system comprises a time measurement circuit configured to start and stop a counter based on signals indicative of start and stop points defined in the source code. The signals are generated while compiled source code is executing on the IC device. These signals may be generated by code by writing to the relevant control bits in a control register. A debug or event system coupled to the time measurement circuit is configured to generate a program break or time event, respectively, based on a comparison of time measured by the time measurement circuit with a maximum or minimum time setting.

In some implementations, a method of breaking code execution based on time consumption performed by an integrated circuit (IC) device comprises: receiving a first signal indicating a start point defined in source code, the first signal generated when the start point is executed by the IC device; starting a time measurement circuit in response to receiving the first signal; receiving a second signal indicating a stop point defined in the source code, the second signal generated when the stop point is executed by the IC device; stopping the time measurement circuit in response to receiving the second signal; and generating a program break or time event based on a comparison of time measured by the time measurement circuitry with a maximum or minimum time setting.

Other implementations are directed to methods, circuits, systems and computer-readable mediums.

Particular implementations disclosed herein allow a software developer to analyze a code segment (e.g. a function) while executing on an IC device (e.g., a microcontroller unit) and determining that the code segment is taking too long to execute. The disclosed system and method is especially useful when used together with an instruction trace feature in an on-chip debug system or event system. The disclosed implementations can be expanded with analysis features like averaging (total time), counting (number of times the start point is triggered) and minimum and maximum time registers which can be updated upon reaching a stop point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a time measurement circuit with no interrupt support.

FIG. 2 illustrates a time measurement circuit with interrupt support.

FIG. 3 illustrates a time measurement circuit with minimum/maximum time triggers and interrupt support.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for breaking code execution based on time consumption.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a time measurement circuit with no interrupt support. In some implementations, time measurement circuit 100 can include clock source 101, counter 102 and compare module 103. Counter 101 receives two signals as inputs: STOP/GO and RESET. STOP/GO starts and stops a counter 101 in response to clock source 101. In some implementations, STOP/GO can implicitly generate RESET, removing the need for a dedicated RESET signal. For example, when STOP/GO=1, counter 101 increments by one on each positive edge of a clock provided by clock source 101. The current count is input into a comparator in compare module 103, where the count is compared with a maximum time setting (Max_time_setting). Max_time_setting can be a reference count programmed into a register by a user. When the current count output by counter 102 equals Max_time_setting, compare module 103 generates an output signal for use by an on-chip debug system as a time guard break (Time_guard break) or an on-chip event system as a maximum time event (Max_time event).

In some implementations, a start and a stop point can be defined in the source code being debugged by code instrumentation, instruction fetch address comparators or any other suitable means. Time measurement circuit 100 can accurately measure the time between the start and stop points in the source code to determine if the code is taking longer than expected to execute, indicating a possible error in the code. In some implementations, the start point can be defined using code instrumentation by setting a START bit for counter 102 in the source code. If the start point is implemented by an address comparator, the event generated by the address comparator can start the time measurement. A STOP bit can be set in the same way as the START bit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a time measurement circuit 200 with interrupt support. An interrupt signals that an event has occurred that results in a change in the sequence of instructions that is executed. In some implementations, counter 102 can be paused when an interrupt is encountered during execution of an instrumented code segment. If an interrupt is encountered while counter 102 is running, counter 102 can be paused by activating a pause signal GO/PAUSE, which temporarily stops counter 102. For nested interrupts (two or more levels of interrupts), GO/PAUSE can be replaced by interrupt level counter 201, which can increment by one each time an interrupt occurs and decrement by one each time an interrupt returns. Counter 102 can be commanded to resume counting when interrupt level counter 201 reaches zero.

For example, starting with a variable counter=0, interrupt level counter 201 is incremented by one (counter=1) upon entering a first interrupt level, and counter 102 is paused by asserting GO/PAUSE. Upon entering a second interrupt level, interrupt level counter 201 is incremented by one again (counter=2). When the second interrupt returns, counter 201 is decremented by one (counter=1), and when the first interrupt returns, interrupt level counter 201 is decremented by one again (counter=0), and counter 102 is commanded by GO/PAUSE to continue counting.

FIG. 3 illustrates a time measurement circuit 300 with interrupt support and minimum/maximum time triggers. By defining a maximum value (Max_time_setting) for the allowed time between assertion of START and the STOP, a Time_guard break (or Maximum_time event) can be generated allowing the user to analyze the code segment and determine why the code segment (e.g., a function) is taking longer than expected to execute. This is especially useful when used together with an instruction trace feature, but will also have a value without trace feature because variables and other internals can be analyzed when the code execution is stopped. For functions that have a hard time requirement time measurement, circuit 300 can be left running

Optionally a minimum time trigger (Minimum_time event) can also be implemented in compare module 301 as shown in FIG. 3. The code execution can be stopped (a time break) if the stop point in the source code is passed and counter 102 is still below Min_time_setting, as determined by compare module 301. Thus, time measurement circuit 300 can be used to trap asserts and abnormal exits from functions.

In some implementations, time measurement circuits 100, 200, 300 can be expanded with analysis features like averaging (total time), counting (number of times the start point is triggered), counting the number of maximum events (in the case where breaking of code execution is not used) and minimum and maximum time registers, which can be updated when a stop point is encountered.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process 400 for breaking code execution based on time consumption. Process 400 can be implemented by time measurement circuits 100, 200 and 300.

In some implementations, process 400 can begin when a start point in code is detected (402). In some implementations, the start point can be defined in the source code being debugged by code instrumentation, instruction fetch address comparators or any other suitable means. If a start point is detected, process 400 can continue by first initializing a counter (404). For an up-counting counter, counter=0. For a down-counting counter, counter=timeout_value, where the timeout event is when the counter reaches zero.

After initializing the counter, the counter is incremented by one (406) until a maximum time setting is reached (408) (e.g., Time>Max_time_setting) or a stop point is detected (412). If a maximum time setting is reached (408), a time break or event is generated (410). If a stop point is detected (412) before a minimum time is reached (414) (Time<Min), a time break or event is generated (410). The maximum and minimum time settings can be programmed by a user in registers that are accessible by the time measurement circuit. The time break or event can be provided to an on-chip debug system or event system or to an external device (e.g., a personal computer) through an I/O pin.

While this document contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit (IC) device including a system for breaking code execution based on time consumption, the system comprising: a time measurement circuit configured to start and stop a counter based on signals indicative of start and stop points defined in the source code, the signals generated while compiled source code is executing on the IC device; and a debug or event system coupled to the time measurement circuit and configured to generate a program break or time event, respectively, based on a comparison of time measured by the time measurement circuit with a maximum or minimum time setting.
 2. The system of claim 1, where the time measurement circuit further comprises: a counter configured for generating a count in response to the signals; and a comparator coupled to the counter and configured for: comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the maximum or minimum time setting; and generating a signal indicating a program break or time event.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an interrupt level counter coupled to the counter and configured to count interrupt levels for nested interrupt signals.
 4. The system of claim 1, where the IC device is a microcontroller.
 5. The system of claim 1, where the start and stop points are defined in the source code by code instrumentation.
 6. The system of claim 1, where the start and stop points are defined in the source code by instruction fetch address comparators.
 7. The system of claim 1, where time measurement circuit further comprises: a counter configured for generating a count in response to the signals; a first comparator coupled to the counter and configured for comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the maximum time setting, the first comparator generating a signal indicating a program break or maximum time event; and a second comparator coupled to the counter and configured for comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the minimum time setting, the second comparator generating a signal indicating a program break or minimum time event.
 8. A method of breaking code execution based on time consumption performed by an integrated circuit (IC) device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal indicating a start point defined in source code, the first signal generated when the start point is executed by the IC device; starting a time measurement circuit in response to receiving the first signal; receiving a second signal indicating a stop point defined in the source code, the second signal generated when the stop point is executed by the IC device; stopping the time measurement circuit in response to receiving the second signal; and generating a program break or time event based on a comparison of time measured by the time measurement circuitry with a maximum or minimum time setting.
 9. The method of claim 8, where the time measurement circuit further comprises: a counter configured for generating a count in response to the signals; and a comparator coupled to the counter and configured for comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the maximum or minimum time setting, and generating a signal indicating a program break or time event.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: an interrupt level counter coupled to the counter and configured to count interrupt levels for nested interrupt signals.
 11. The method of claim 8, where the IC device is a microcontroller.
 12. The method of claim 8, where the start and stop points are defined in the source code by code instrumentation.
 13. The method of claim 8, where the start and stop points are defined in the source code by instruction fetch address comparators.
 14. The method of claim 8, where time measurement circuit further comprises: a counter configured for generating a count in response to the signals; a first comparator coupled to the counter and configured for comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the maximum time setting, the first comparator generating a signal indicating a program break or maximum time event; and a second comparator coupled to the counter and configured for comparing the count from the counter to a count representing the minimum time setting, the second comparator generating a signal indicating a program break or minimum time event. 